Tooth cleaning device



Sept. 12, 1961 H. R. KING 2,999,260

TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE Filed OCb. 5. 1959 IN V EN TOR.

United States Patent O 2,999,260 TOOTH CLEANING DEVICE Helen R. King, 1033 Wilshire Blvd., Kalamazoo, Mich.

Filed Oct. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 844,351

2 Claims. (Cl. 15-1`18) 'I'his invention relates to a tooth cleaning device.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a tooth cleaning device which is highly eiiicient in cleaning the teeth and in massaging the gums and is -Well adapted for use of travelers, soldiers and others lacking commonly used facilities, such as brushes and the like.

Second, to provide a tooth cleaning device having these advantages which is highly eiiicient and at the same time may be produced economically and is sanitary.

Objects relating to details and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is dened and pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. l is a side view partially conventionalized of a tooth cleaning device embodying my invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse section on a line corresponding to line 2-2 of FIG. 1. n

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section on a line corresponding to line 3 3 of FIG. l.

FIG. 4 is a perspective View also partially conventionalized illustrating the device of my invention as applied to a finger.

FIG. 5 is a transverse section on a line corresponding to line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

The device of my invention comprises a body member designated generally by the numeral 1, open at one end to receive a finger of the user, conventionally illustrated at 2 in FIGS. 4 and 5. The body member 1 is formed of loosely woven fabric conventionally illustrated at 3 in FIG. 2, such, for example, as cheesecloth or the like. Each body member is formed of a piece of fabric lappingly folded upon itself at 4 and is transversely stitched at 5 and longitudinally stitched at 6, both stitchings 5 and 6 being substantially spaced from the edges 7 of the fabric. This stitching provides outer end flap portions 8 and longitudinally extending or side flap portions 9. The fabric is of such loose weave that it receives and effectively retains a substantial quantity of powder, conventionally indicated at 10.

It will be understood that the entire body member is coated with the powder. The looose weave is indicated in FIG. 2. This loose weave is of importance in the matter of receiving and retaining a substantial quantity of powder. It will be understood that it is not practical to illustrate the powder in its distributed condition in the body member so it is only conventionally indicated at 10. Also, it should be understood that it is not necessary to make these devices to t various sizes of lingers as the finger is loosely received therein and the flap portions 8 and 9 provided a substantial quantity of the conformable material which in use conforms to the teeth to which it is applied.

The device provides means for applying substantial cleaning rubbing friction to the teeth and also to the gums when it is used for massaging the gums.

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In the embodiment illustrated I provide a strand of dental lioss 11 which is folded into a loop and removably secured and retained by the stitching 6 with the loop portion projecting from the outer end of the device for grasping. It will be understood that the dental floss is removed from the device before the device is used for cleaning the teeth, if'` dental oss is to be used. If dental floss is not to be used it is not necessary to remove it, that is, it does not interfere with the useof the device intended for cleaning the teeth.

The device of my invention is highly efficient and Well adapted for use of travelers and others as it may be packaged, carried or stored in spaces that would be impractical for storing or carrying a tooth brush and powder or the like. The device lmay be very economically produced in quantities and packaged.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a very simple, practical and economical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate and describe various embodiments and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the invention as may be de-- sired.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A tooth cleaning device comprising a body member open at one end to receive a finger of the user, said body member being formed of a section of loosely woven fabric lappingly folded upon itself, the lapping sections of i the folded fabric being transversely stitched across one end thereof constituting the outer end of the body member and along the side edge thereof opposed to the fold of the fabric andspaced therefrom to receive a linger, the stitching being substantially spaced from the adjacent edges of the fabric providing end and side liaps of substantial width at the outer sides of the stitching, the fabric being coated with tooth powder, and a strand of dental floss folded upon itself to provide a loop, the

strand being removably secured to the body member by the said stitching extending longitudinally ofthe body member and being positioned with the looped end thereof projecting from the closed end of the body for grasping.

2. A tooth cleaning device comprising a body member open at one end to receive a finger of the user, said body member being formed of a section of loosely Woven fabric lappingly folded upon itself, the lapping sections of the folded fabric being transversely stitched across one end thereof constituting the outer end of the body member and along the side edge thereof opposed to the fold of the fabric and spaced therefrom to receive a finger, and a strand of dental floss folded upon itself to provide a loop, the strand being removably secured to the body by the said stitching extending longitudinally of the body member and being positioned with the looped end thereof projecting beyond the outer end of the body member for grasping.

member References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,144,777 Over June 29, 1915 1,157,413 Nesper Oct. 19, 1915 2,092,987 Remington Sept. 14, 1937 

